Washington, DC –
On Thursday, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. He is signing a presidential memorandum directing the acting Health Secretary Eric Hargan to declare a nationwide public health emergency. This will increase access to “telemedicine,” help waive restrictions that delay dispensing grant funding, and redirect some federal grants toward tackling the crisis.

In response, LULAC President Roger C. Rocha Jr., issued the following statement:

“The United States in facing the deadliest drug crisis in our nation’s history. We thank the administration for continuing to raise awareness about the country’s opioid epidemic and welcome their commitment to ending it. Today’s announcement is an important step towards combating the growing number of opioid related fatalities that cause over 140 deaths in the U.S. each day. This deadly crisis continues to spread across all racial groups, with Hispanic opioid related deaths reaching seven percent. We must work together on all levels, from federal and state to local governments and communities, to combat this problem. We hope the president’s announcement will lead to additional collaboration and new funding needed to end this crisis once and for all.”

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.